How to find your current location on Google Maps

Google Maps is one of the most useful navigational tools on Android. It enables people to preview a trip and plan for obstacles. However, knowing how to find where you are right now on the map is imperative to navigating with Google Maps. Let’s review how to find your current location on Google Maps.

How to find your current location on Android

Google uses your location for many things. In Google Maps, Google can help you plot a route from where you currently are to your destination. You can also use your location to see the sites and restaurants around you.

To find where you are on Google Maps, the app must have permission to use your phone’s built-in GPS to access your location. You must have Location turned on in your settings.

1. Open the Google Maps app for Android.
2. On the map, in the bottom right corner above the navigation bar, you will find the Your location button, which looks like a target. If it is grey, not blue, with a circle in the middle, you are out of the frame and not centered. Press the grey target, and when it turns blue with a circle in the middle, your location will appear on the map as a blue dot.

How to find your current location on iPhone

Getting your location on iOS works the same way as on Android. The only difference is the interface looks slightly different due to the nature of iOS apps.

1. Open the Google Maps iOS app.
2. You will show up as a blue dot on the map. If you cannot see yourself, that means you are out of the frame and the Your location button, which looks like a gray arrow. Press the Your location button in the bottom right to center Google Maps on your current location.

How to share your Google Maps location

Whether you’re using Android or iOS, you can easily share your live location with others. We’ve tested these steps with both platforms, and they are the same.

How to share your live location on Google Maps:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.
2. Find your location using the steps above.
3. Tap on the blue dot that indicates your exact location.
4. Select Share location.
5. You can now indicate how long you want to share the live location for. Set the duration or select Until you turn this off.
6. Using the sharing options below, select who you want to share your live location to.

If you prefer sharing an exact location, as opposed to your live one, you can use what Google Maps calls a Plus code.

How to share an exact location using Google Maps:

1. Launch the Google Maps app.
2. Find your location using the steps above.
3. Tap on the blue dot that indicates your exact location.
4. Scroll all the way to the bottom. You will see the Plus Code section.
5. Tap on Copy code.
6. Now, go share that code with anyone, using any app. The person can search for the code on Google Maps and will get a pinpoint location they can navigate to.

How to calibrate Google Maps

If you find that how you show up on Google Maps is inaccurate, you may need to recalibrate Google Maps. This will correct your Google Maps location and fix your tracking.

1. First off, open your Google Maps app and find your current location. As mentioned, you can do this by pressing the target or arrow shaped Your location button in the bottom right.
2. Now, tap the blue dot on the map that represents you. It should show up with a blue cone facing whichever direction your phone is pointing.
3. This will open the Your Location menu with multiple options, including sharing your location. From here, select the button labeled Calibrate; this has a small compass next to it.
4. Google Maps will ask you to Tilt and move your phone around in a figure-eight pattern. Do as instructed and, when your compass accuracy reads high or better, press Done.

FAQs